OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

OVERVIEW

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit organisation that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster-affected areas. The organisation works in several countries, sharing safe water and the message of God's love.

Water Mission believes that working with the organisation is both a calling and a career. It seeks individuals with the courage, passion, and commitment to help address the global water crisis.

Water Mission Malawi invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Operations Director, based in Lilongwe.

JOB TYPE: Full Time

Date Posted: Monday, 26th October 2026

Application Deadline: Saturday, 7th November 2026

Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi

Reports to: Country Director

JOB SUMMARY

The Operations Director will translate the approved Malawi country strategy and annual business plan into coordinated operational plans and lead day-to-day programme delivery.

The role involves overseeing assigned operational teams, quality standards, schedules, budgets, operational controls, and timely reporting. The Operations Director will work under the overall accountability of the Country Director, with additional regional guidance to ensure alignment with Water Mission standards and operational performance expectations.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Mission and Servant Leadership

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, communities, and the public.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions and prayer before and after team meetings.
• Demonstrate and encourage Water Mission's core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity in operational decisions and staff relationships.

2. Operational Planning and Programme Delivery

• Work with the Country Director and functional leaders to develop the annual operations plan, operational budgets, project schedules, and measurable performance targets.
• Lead the implementation of approved WASH projects and operational plans, coordinating staff, equipment, materials, and other resources across project locations.
• Monitor progress against agreed scope, schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• Address delivery constraints and escalate significant risks or changes to the Country Director.
• Coordinate professionalised services, technical staff, construction, community engagement, Evangelism and Discipleship, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities.
• Ensure effective project delivery, commissioning, handover, and sustainable management of safe water solutions.
• Conduct regular field visits and operational reviews to verify operations and maintenance (O&M) and implementation quality, resolve challenges, and support field teams.
• Coordinate with regional and headquarters departments and staff to achieve organisational objectives.

3. Financial Stewardship and Operational Support

• Work with the Project Manager, Finance Manager, and budget holders to prepare project budgets, forecasts, cost estimates, and expenditure reviews.
• Explain budget variances and implement agreed corrective actions.
• Oversee assigned procurement, logistics, inventory, fleet, equipment, facilities, and administrative activities in line with approved policies and delegated authority.
• Ensure project management and enterprise accounting systems accurately reflect operational activities.
• Work with Project Management, Finance, and other functional teams to maintain complete and timely records.
• Maintain effective operational controls and support audits, risk reviews, and timely completion of corrective actions.
• Implement applicable safety, safeguarding, security, and operational procedures.
• Report incidents and significant concerns through established channels.

4. Staff Leadership and Development

• Supervise and mentor assigned staff, clarify responsibilities, allocate workloads, review and approve performance goals, and conduct regular coaching and performance reviews.
• Identify skills gaps and coordinate training, mentoring, recruitment, and succession planning with the Country Director, Human Resources, and other relevant departments.
• Promote staff care, well-being, accountability, and constructive resolution of workplace concerns.
• Collaborate with Finance, Human Resources, and technical staff in accordance with established direct and matrix reporting relationships.

5. Performance Reporting and Partnerships

• Monitor operational performance against the business plan and agreed indicators.
• Use MEL findings and lessons learned to improve programme quality and effectiveness.
• Provide regular operational reports to the Country Director and agreed updates to the Africa regional team, highlighting progress, budget performance, risks, and decisions required.
• Support grant applications, implementation, donor reporting, and fulfilment of project commitments by providing accurate operational plans, budgets, and results.
• Lead efforts to achieve project, grant, and partnership goals.
• Collaborate with other country programmes to exchange ideas, updates, and operational approaches.
• Support the Country Director in relationships with government, churches, communities, NGOs, and other partners.
• Represent Water Mission in operational meetings when delegated.
• Coordinate operational support for Water Mission's Living Water Strategy in Malawi, working with ministry and programme teams.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Country Director within the scope of the role.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• A relevant Master's degree will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

Applicants should possess:

• At least eight (8) years of relevant leadership or management experience.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and training, mentoring, and developing leaders.
• Proven experience managing programme or operational budgets exceeding USD 1 million, including planning, expenditure control, and performance reporting.
• Experience or technical knowledge in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
• Experience in construction, engineering project management, or WASH programme design will be preferred.
• Experience working in Malawi or comparable African development contexts.
• Experience in field operations and partnerships with government, communities, Christian ministries, NGOs, or development agencies.
• Leadership experience in Christian ministry, evangelism, or discipleship.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Strong planning, problem-solving, and financial management skills.
• Ability to manage operational budgets and performance reporting.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and relationship-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft 365, and SharePoint.
• Commitment to addressing the global water crisis.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND VALUES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission's Statement of Faith.
• Commitment to the core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Servant leadership and a strong commitment to organisational mission and values.
• Professionalism, accountability, and the ability to lead diverse teams.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The successful candidate must be willing to establish full-time residence in Lilongwe.
• Flexible working hours may be required.
• Regular travel to field locations across Malawi is expected, including stays of up to one week or occasionally longer.
• Occasional international travel to other regional country programmes may be required.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should apply online through the official Water Mission recruitment portal.

Application Link: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/watermission/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/3282

Organisation Website: https://watermission.org/careers/

Closing Date: Saturday, 7th November 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline through the official recruitment portal.